Established in 1915 and designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1976, the national park covers an area of 415 square miles (1,075 square km). Rocky Mountain National Park includes part of the Front Range, a line of mountains that runs from north to south that marks the eastern edge of the Southern Rockies. Native Americans lived and cared for this land for centuries. As human numbers and uses grew, people recognized that preservation was necessary.
Many passionate advocates of a park emerged, including naturalist and guide Enos Mills (1870-1922). He led the push for a wilderness park. The interests of mining, grazing and logging pushed for a national forest where commercial activities could continue. In 1915, Congress dedicated Rocky Mountain National Park.
People have been visiting the area near Mountain National Park. Rocky for at least 11,000 years, including the Lindenmeier and Dent sites, where projectile points were found that were used to hunt Mammoth and Bison antiques.
